Ndola PF protest against HH

HUNDREDS of PF members in Ndola yesterday protested against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema under a veil of a solidarity march for foreign investors into the country. Meanwhile, Copperbelt permanent secretary Bright Nundwe, a civil servant, has advised security wings in the province to be on alert for any suspicious looking vehicles coming to the province to deal with them nicely.

The protest comes in the wake of a PF and government officials chorus framing Hichilema for the riots over ZAFFICO sale. Police have since summoned the opposition leader for questioning to help with investigations into the riots.

PF Copperbelt youth chairman Nathan Chanda, who led the protest march, said it was in support of peace and unity and against incitement of xenophobic attacks on all foreign investors and riots in the province.

The PF cadres matched from Independence Avenue near the Ndola Civic Centre through the central business district to Cabinet office.

Traffic came to a standstill in the town and shop owners opted to close their businesses.

And presenting a petition to Copperbelt permanent secretary Bright Nundwe at his office, Chanda, who is Luanshya mayor, said the youths on the Copperbelt would not allow lawlessness.

“The reason why we are here is to tender a petition to President Edgar Lungu on a number of issues happening in our country, especially issues to do with xenophobic attacks on investors. We have seen the opposition inciting members to attack investors, but as youths we say no. We don’t want them to dare us,” Chanda said. “If things continue, we are ready to effect citizens arrests on those inciting violence on the province. We know what Mr HH [UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema] has done to the people of Zambia. We will make Copperbelt a no go area for Mr HH and his party.”

And Nundwe said he would not allow any form of confusion on the Copperbelt.

“Thank you the youths for this peaceful demonstration which shows that Copperbelt is peaceful. I want to run a smart province across the board. Any person that comes to bring any percentage of confusion, the provincial administration will not condone. There is no prudence to cause confusion, Nundwe said.

“If I had powers, I could have called President Edgar Lungu; State Counsel, The Doctor, The Professor, because of his unprecedented development. We will defend the name of Edgar Lungu. I have advised the security wings to be on alert for any vehicles coming to the Copperbelt looking suspicious to deal with them nicely.”

There is growing machinations, albeit veiled, by the State to arrest Hichilema, alleging that he incited some Kitwe residents to riot last week to protest the supposed sale of Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO).

Last week on Wednesday, chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya said the government had observed with great concern a new trend by: Opposition political party leaders and in particular the UPND leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema to package innuendoes, to package untruths simply lies as a way to gain popularity.
….And also an agenda to incite the citizens of this country to rise against a duly elected government. That is very much against the Penal Code of Zambia where in Article 57 and 60 it also extends to others such as the media that you are not supposed to publish information that will bring a duly elected government into contempt unless you believe that information to be true, Siliya said.
The warning from government is that following the riots in the Copperbelt over ZAFFICO, relevant government wings are going to carry out a thorough investigation on those who were inciting and even those who have the opportunity to re-broadcast this inciting. I want to be clear [that] government is not against the opposition; in a democracy the majority will get their way but the minority must also be heard.
Asked on what thorough investigations the police would be carrying out when Hichilema had already been named as the culprit, Siliya responded: Clearly, there are procedures within government, particularly Ministry of Home Affairs. We will leave it that they are experts and they know what they are doing.
Siliya challenged Hichilema if indeed he had any proof that ZAFFICO and ZNBC had been sold, Im prepared to resign.
We, in government, are very clear on our position and we are saying that ZAFFICO and ZNBC have not been sold. If Mr Hichilema cannot produce evidence to the contrary within one week, I suggest that the UPND should be looking for leadership elsewhere because leadership cannot be about lies. The agenda by the opposition, particularly the UPND, to paint black our partners in development such as the Chinese government and its people is uncalled-for.
She cautioned those scheming for mutiny that your time is up.